Surfacing unit



A, C. FISCHER SURFACINGr UNIT Filed June l5, 1929 n Aug. 14, 1934.

@atenta-:cl Aug. lli, 1934 sUnFACrNc UNIT Y Albert C. Fischer, Chicago, lll. Application June-13, 1929, Serial No. 370,512 Y 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in surfacing units or blocks which are employed in construction work, such as, building and paving, and particularly pertains to such surfac- -ing material as, floor planking which is resilient in character and adapted to be secured in place without being impaired by trai-lic strains.

Surfacing material of a resilient character has a tendency, under the impact of trac loads, to creep and loosen from the sub-structure to which it is applied and attached, thereby causing rapid deterioration to both the material and the substructure. Various fastening means, such as, cement, nails and the like, have been employed for attaching the surfacing to the sub-structure, but none have proved satisfactory since they focus the strain at the points to which the fastening means are applied.

In the present invention attaching means are provided on the surfacing material and the substructure, both of which are composed of compositions that permit creeping of the surfacing material without affecting the union between the two layers. The sub-structure is composed of a bituminous composition which is semi-rigid, and to this a resilient covering of such composition as rubber is attached by means of interlacking tongues and grooves.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor and wall covering;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a unit with part of the surface covering removed;

Fig. 3 is a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 4 is a floor section showing the surfacing covering arranged to effect a design.

More specically described my surfacing unit 2 comprises a base section 3 and a facing section 4 secured together by means of tongues 5 and grooves 6, which may be formed on each of the sections. The tongues and grooves may be arranged so that the sections may be mated with the edges flush (Figs. 2 and 3) or arranged to off-set the edges, whereby the units may be laid -in a wall or floor construction in overlapping relation.

Base section 3 is preferably of a bituminous composition comprising a bituminous binder, mineral matter, and fiber in varying proportions, depending upon the desired degree of elasticity. The bituminous binder preferably ranges from 50 to 60 per cent, but may be as low as 30 or 40 per cent. Fiber and mineral matter, in any proportion, is incorporated in the binder. The fiber content reenforces the mass and eliminates brittleness at low temperature. The ber may be eliminated.

The facing section l is composed of rubber. Where a more elastic surface is required the rubber content predominates, but where ductility is not objectionable a ductile ingredient may predominate. Conventional rubber compounding ingredients may be employed in making the fac ings, and these may be made in colors and of irregular shapes in order to be laid in design (Fig. 4) on the base sections.

In laying the blocks the sections may first be connected as a unit by intertting the dovetailed faces, or the base sections may ilrst be laid, after which the facing sections will then be applied. Because of the elasticity of the facings, the enlarged heads of the projections are adapted to yield for springing into place in the grooves. When laid the facings tightly engage the base sections, and are held secure, irrespective of any creeping that may take place between the members. Such creeping as may occur takes place Without impairment to the interlocking and fastening of the sections. The units may be attached to any sub-structure.

In the modication illustrated in Fig. 4, the base section 7 is in the form of a T to provide ears 8 over which facing 9 extends by means of marginal flanges 10.

It will be understood that the detailed description is for the purpose of illustrating specific embodiments. Various changes and modications may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of ductile character, an elastic covering means applied to one face of the base to provide a wearing surface, and ribs on the base and facing elements for assembling same into a unit.

2. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of ductile character, an elastic covering means applied to one face of the base to provide a wearing surface, and mating ribs and grooves on the base and facing elements for springing same together into a unit.

3. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semisolid base of bituminous composition, an elastic covering means applied to one face of the base, and positive engaging means on each of the elements for assembling same into a unit which al- 110 lows free exing of the covering without impairment of the engaging means.

4. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of bituminous composition, a covering means of rubbery character applied to one face of the base, and dove-tailed projections and depressions formed on mating faces of the elements for engaging same in interlocking relation.

5. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semisolid base of bituminous composition, an elastic covering means applied to the base, and exible under-cut ribs on the covering element for engaging with corresponding grooves formed in the base element.

6. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of ductile character, an elastic covering means to provide a Wearing surface, and ribs on the base and facing elements for assembling same into a unit.

7. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of ductile character, an elastic covering means applied to one face of the base to provide a Wearing surface, and mating ribs and grooves on the base and facing elements for springing same together into a unit.

8. Flooring comprising a plurality of individual block units, each of which comprises a semi-solid base of bituminous character, an elastic covering means applied to one face of the base, and positive engaging means on each of the elements for assembling same into a unit which allows free iexing of the covering without impairment of the engaging means.

ALBERT C. FISCHER. 

